Get Help Solving That Problem

Do you try to do everything on your own?

If you're part of a team, and especially if you are leading a team, it goes better by collaborating. Working together. Helping each other. 

People like to be connected. What better time to strengthen your connections than when you have a problem?

You don't need everyone in the world to help you solve a problem but you probably do need someone. Find out who that is, and get them involved.

Besides, it is way more fun that way, too.

-- doug smith 

Need leadership training? That's what I do: doug smith training

Problem Control

 

Can you solve every problem?

Of course not. Some problems need more time, more resources, more miracles.

Sometimes the best we can do as a leader is not to make things worse.

Even if you can't solve a problem there's no reason to magnify it.

Look at that problem from the viewpoint of someone who just doesn't care. Does it look different? Is it really a mountain or simply a molehill (of course, if you've ever had moles you know what kind of problem that is).

Will any of it matter a year from now?

If yes, get busy. If no, breathe?

-- doug smith

The Seat of the Situation

Problems are complicated. We need to think clearly about them, to analyze their causes. We also need to act quickly because, oddly or not, some solutions expire. 

Sit, or move?

Think, or act?

This isn't a universal assertion, but maybe one with value: 

the situation isn't entirely the problem, and the problem isn't entirely the situation.

As closely as cause and effect may nest, there are likely other causes, other effects worth considering. It's a bit like widening the circle in a jam session. Yes, the new instruments complicate things, and yes, sometimes the notes are discordant, but oh! the miracle of the unexpected harmonies can make the how piece better.

That's the situation. What if it existed before the problem, and needs to exist beyond the problem?

We can sit with a problem without making that problem the entire situation.

What do you think?

-- doug smith

 ps: The drawing is only partially related. It't a situation. It's a problem. I drew this dancing with the idea of problem vs. polarity...and other random situations. 

 

A Quick Quote from James Clear

 "Don't ignore the problem, but keep it light. Take action with a smile. Adding tension won't solve your troubles faster. 

Even when the problem is hard, it doesn't need to harden you. Unknot yourself. Body loose, head clear, and then take the first step. 

Be happy in the doing."

-- James Clear